Monday, November 21, 2011

Ofta/after...same difference.

Teaching phonics in a class of children from all over the world can get a little tricky at times. How do you tell your precious South African boy that even though to him the word "after" sounds like "ofta" in his language, it is still correctly spelled "after"? I have had so many laughable moments when he will participate in class with a phrase that none of us quite relate with, but grow to love...and use! My personal favorite is when he wants to ask if he can add on to a story. (Just picture this in a British accent) "Mrs. Evans, would you mind if I carry on with my writing?" Precious! Go ahead cAHry on!


Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Big Wave

Instead of focusing on how long it has been since my last post and updating everything that has gone on for the last 3 months, I would rather start FRESH. Honestly, this whole semester so far has felt like a big wave that is finally over my head. You ever get that feeling when you were a kid playing at the beach and you go under a wave, but you feel like it takes forever before the water actually moves over and you wonder if you'll find the way to the surface? Yep. That's how I felt. Except my wave was grad work, new 1st grade learners adapting, and juggling both while staying sane. But it's at a calm spot now. My creative juices and the "real me" is coming back and it feels good. Really good. So...just like I feel I have a fresh start again to get back into the groove of life, this blog is going to start fresh....from the latest funny story, cause that's how I like to blog. Funny, memorable moments that are captured. Not long huge updates that feel overwhelming to even start putting into words.

So here goes the latest...

I have been falling in love with this new website called pinterest. It was first introduced to me by my sister-in-law, and she is right, it is a completely addicting website full of people tagging their creative, innovative, interests all over the website like a tag board. What a perfect website! After perusing through pinterest this weekend, I came across some adorable things I could implement into my classroom. The newest is this cute bulletin board inspired by McDonald's.

Check it out:
This is where is brings me to my funny story. I happened to be eating at a McDonald's yesterday with my friend when I thought of the idea to ask if they sold the fry boxes. One of the ladies on the cleaning staff politely told me that they didn't sell them, so I told her no problem and I carried on with my meal. About a minute later, she taps me on my shoulder and hands me a recycled fry container. "Aww, how cute!" I thought to myself. "She remembered!" But that was only the beginning. All throughout my meal, she would periodically come over, tap me, and dump 2-3 more boxes on my tray. With a little laugh and head nod of appreciation I would go back to my meal only to be tapped again with 5 more! In a matter of 15 minutes I had about 25 boxes! Luckily we had finished our meal so I could tell her we had plenty before she piled anymore on.

Oh China, you are full of such generous and helpful people! I will never forget that day. And hey, I am ready to make that bulletin board now and at no extra cost!